Ideas for a 7000 sq. ft. basement. Downtown

[Eric K.]

Currently, I have 7,000 sq. ft. of unused and unrented basement space. It is in the heart of downtown of a smaller (14,000) city. I am brainstorming on what I could use it for.
The building is zoned for commercial and residential. Needs to sprinkled for a leasing of the entire basement or a firewall to reduce open footage to 5,000 or less.

The basement is mostly carpeted with several rooms that were rented in the past. There is wiring for internet and tv. There are two working bathrooms.
On the negative side there is no handicapped accessibility.

Thanks for your time!

[Bill Gulley]

I like this aspect of RE, identifying a higher and better use for a property.

You need to begin with the physical aspects of the building and it's location.

To say commercial isn't sufficient as there are different uses in "commercial" is it retail, office, private day care, etc, what is permitted?

The immediate area, traffic count, driving, walking....what other businesses near the subject, complementary businesses, how does the area support an additional venture, what is lacking type questions?

How is the building set up, equal sides in an open space, long and narrow, widthXlength can limit options or themes, it may not be a great dance floor or live dinner theater setting, lounge, etc.

ADA compliance, how accessable is the basement, does it have more than one exit, an elevator?

Parking? The property will have a limitation as to public occupancy under fire codes, convert that to 2 to 2.5 per vehicle, is there sufficient immediate parking and additional parking within walking distance.

Plumbing and electrical. Does the basement have drains and bathrooms? Is the basement on a seperate service to be metered?
Is the electrical service adequate for most commercial usage, at least 200 amp service with sufficient circuits. Two expensive aspects of commercial infill that may impact of which way to go with options.

Pictures are worth a thousand words!